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Crispy, golden frozen chicken nuggets in just minutes! Learn the best air fryer temp, cook time, and top dipping sauces. No preheating, no flipping—just perfect!
Table of Contents
- Crispy Nuggets in Minutes—No Hassle, No Mess!
- What You’ll Need for Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
- Best Temperature for Air Fryer Nuggets
- Our Favorite Frozen Chicken Nuggets
- Making Homemade Chicken Nuggets
- Best Dipping Sauces for Chicken Nuggets
- What if I Don’t Have an Air Fryer?
- Tips for Perfectly Crispy Nuggets
- Questions About Frozen Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer
- How to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
- Frozen Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer Recipe
- More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Crispy Nuggets in Minutes—No Hassle, No Mess!
Craving crispy, golden chicken nuggets without the hassle? Cooking frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer is THE way to go. They come out crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready in minutes—no preheating, no flipping, and no greasy mess. Trust me, once you try it this way, you’ll never go back to baking or microwaving them again!
What You’ll Need for Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
This is as easy as it gets! Here’s all you need to make perfectly crispy air fryer chicken nuggets:
- An Air Fryer (or convection oven) – If you don’t have one yet, it’s a kitchen must-have. There are affordable options out there, and once you get one, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
- Frozen Chicken Nuggets – Any brand will work! You can find them in the frozen foods section of all major grocery stores. See below for my top recommendations.
That’s it! You can serve them with sweet potato fries, throw them on a salad, pair them with mac and cheese, or just dip and enjoy. The possibilities are endless.
How Long to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
Cooking time can vary depending on the size and type of nuggets. Here’s a quick guide:
- Fully cooked frozen nuggets (Tyson, Banquet, Just Bare, Dino nuggets): 9-10 minutes at 375°F.
- Raw frozen nuggets: Add 6-7 extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Veggie nuggets: Reduce the time to 7-8 minutes so they don’t overcook.
Pro Tip: No need to flip! The hot air circulates around the nuggets, making them evenly crispy.
Best Temperature for Air Fryer Nuggets
I find that 375°F is the sweet spot. Many recipes say 400°F, but in my experience, that makes the nuggets a little too dry. At 375°F, they cook through perfectly while staying juicy inside and crispy on the outside.
Our Favorite Frozen Chicken Nuggets
There are tons of great frozen nugget options, but here are some of my absolute favorites:
- Just Bare Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks – Hands down my favorite. These taste just like Chick-fil-A nuggets (seriously!) and are worth every penny.
- Kirkland (Costco) Chicken Nuggets – Similar to Just Bare but slightly more budget-friendly.
- Tyson & Banquet Nuggets – Classic options that crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
- Gluten-Free Nuggets – Several brands now offer delicious GF options that work great in the air fryer.
Making Homemade Chicken Nuggets
If you want to make your own, just cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized pieces. Coat them in a mix of flour, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and panko breadcrumbs (for an extra crispy texture). Air fry them at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, shaking the basket halfway through. You can also try our recipe for Oven Fried Chicken.
Best Dipping Sauces for Chicken Nuggets
Dipping sauces make nuggets even better! Here are my go-to favorites:
- Classic: BBQ sauce, honey mustard, ranch, or ketchup.
- Spicy: Buffalo sauce, sriracha mayo, or chipotle aioli.
- Homemade: Mix mayo, ketchup, hot sauce, and a splash of pickle juice for a zesty, tangy dip.
Here are some more of our favorite dipping sauces:
What if I Don’t Have an Air Fryer?
No worries! You can still get crispy nuggets in the oven:
- Preheat to 400°F and bake for 13-15 minutes.
- Flip halfway through for even crispiness.
- Always follow the package instructions if available.
Tips for Perfectly Crispy Nuggets
For the best results, keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t thaw the nuggets first – Cook them straight from the freezer!
- Cook in a single layer – Overcrowding = uneven cooking. Do multiple batches if needed.
- Increase the temp by 25°F for extra crispiness – Just watch for drying out. Make sure to check the recipe card below or the instructions on the package.
- No oil needed – You can use cooking spray or oil spray, but it isn’t necessary. The breading already has enough to crisp up nicely.
- Store leftovers properly – Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Questions About Frozen Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer
About 9-10 minutes at 375°F for most fully cooked frozen nuggets. If they’re raw, add 6-7 minutes to the time.
READ NEXT: 100+ Easy Snack Ideas for Kids
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
Frozen Chicken Nuggets in Air Fryer
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 frozen chicken nuggets
- cooking spray (optional)
- 1/2 cup dipping sauce (see suggestions above)
Instructions
- Place frozen chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the air fryer tray. You may need to cook in batches if you are making a large amount.
- Cook at 375-degrees F for 9-10 minutes.
- Remove from air fryer and check internal temperature. It should be 165-degrees F.
- Serve with your favorite chicken nugget dipping sauce (see above for suggestions).
Nutrition Information
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
From pork chops to tater tots to corn dogs, you can use the air fryer to crisp up just about anything!
This is the easiest way of cooking frozen chicken nuggets! They are perfectly cooked in just a matter of minutes. YUM!
I was so glad to see that you used the Bare brand because that’s what I had on hand to use too! This was so easy to follow, and they turned out perfect. Thank you!!
The Just Bare nuggets are our favorite too! They turned out perfect cooked at 375. I made your honey mustard sauce and it was a hit!